Learn How They Make TV Magic

Did you ever watch a movie or television show and wonder what goes on behind the scenes? Well, this past week when I was in Atlanta for a conference, my good friend Dwan of MommaDJane suggested that we visit the Covington, Georgia, where they shoot The Vampire Diaries along with other TV shows and movies.

Dwan had found a Vampires Diaries tour offered, so on impulse, we paid for the tour, rented a car and headed 45 minutes south of Atlanta to a small town called Covington. Our tour started off at the Mystic Grill, which is now actually turning into a REAL restaurant for the public to enjoy. I mean, how cool is that?! The expected opening date for the Mystic grill is at the end of 2013 or early 2014.Our tour guide also plays an extra for The Vampire Diaries, so she had many stories from the set. She also told us many little things about the actors, too. We walked around the square with a dozen other fans, took lots of pictures and jumped in and out of the rental car many times to take pictures of the homes and locations.

Mystic Falls Court House & Sheriff Forbes Office (2nd Floor)

Alaric’s Apartment (2nd Floor)

Dr. Gilbert’s Office

This is the Lockwood Manor from Flashback Episode. It is actually Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast Inn that I highly recommend you staying at if you are passing through Covington, Georgia.

Matt & Vicki’s House

Sheila Bennett’s House, also known as Bonnie Bennett’s Grams

Isobel’s House (Elena’s birth mother)

“Lockwood Mansion” is home to the real Worthington Manor. The front is gorgeous, BUT the backyard is breathless. It is the scene of many of the outdoor shots for the show. You truly have to see it to believe it.

Elena’s and Jeremy’s House

Caroline’s House

By the way, you do not need to pay for the tour to see all these sites, minus the grounds tour of the Lockwood Mansion also know as Worthington Manor. I have to say that the “backstage” tour of this house was truly AWE-mazing! If only we all have private ponds and grand gardens in our backyards. 😉 The Covington Visitor Center has a FREE map of all the locations plus other areas where TV and films have been shot there. The people of Covington are very friendly, so do not be afraid to ask them any question. Oh, and you should stop by Scoops in the town square for a sweet treat, where the stars go between shots. Also, you can head a block away from the town square to Bradley’s BBQ and have a “vamped out” burger. It is off-the-menu and completes the whole tour experience. 😉

Finally, The Originals (The Vampire Diaries spin-off) is shooting 15 minutes away in a town called Conyers, Georgia. Here are some final shots that I took when we drove through town in hopes to see them shooting. Oh, and on this trip I discovered one of my new favorite travel sites, On Location Vacations, where you can see where they are filming TV shows and movies. You can thank me later. 😉